Cleaning the Grout in Tile Flooring

We have all seen it: Tile floors marred by dingy grout. Many home sellers don't want to spend a lot of money having the grout professionally cleaned.  I did some research on the web and I think I found what could possibly be the best way to clean grout yourself from the Washington Post.  I'm going to try it this weekend!

First, mix any high-quality oxygen bleach with warm water and stir it until it dissolves. Then pour the solution onto the floor tile so the grout lines are flooded with the solution. It's best to apply the oxygen-bleach solution to dry grout so it soaks deeply. Let the solution sit on the grout for at least 15 minutes. If it completely soaks into the grout, add more solution, making sure there is always plenty of the cleaning liquid on the grout.

The longer you let the solution sit on the grout, the less work you have to do cleaning tile flooring. The oxygen ions work for up to six hours. To get maximum cleaning results, it helps to scrub the grout lightly after 30 minutes. Always pour new solution onto the grout as you scrub. An oxygen bleach solution will remove red wine stains in minutes. You have to always scrub a little, but that's how anything gets clean.

Once you have clean floor tiles, you can keep the grout looking like new by adding oxygen bleach powder to your mop water. Apply a liberal amount of mop water to the floor, scrubbing the tile surface with the mop. But leave the mop water in the grout joints without rinsing the floor. The oxygen ions clean the light dirt in the grout without scrubbing. Come back 30 minutes later and rinse the floor with clean water. If you do this each time, you'll never be on your hands and knees again with a scrub brush.

Let me know if you plan on trying this - I'd love to hear what kind of stains it can get out!!